David and Karen are the two coordinators for the CIEE branch in Kyoto and they are incredibly kind and fun. I took the history of anime and manga course during the J-Term which covered from the ancient Buddhist art to scroll paintings to modern animation. They brought in two professional artists who showed how they work and gave us an unlimited pass to the international museum of manga in Kyoto. They also organized a few side trips with local activities! Being right in the heart of the city, there are many restaurants and shrines nearby, and the famous Fushimi Inari mountain shrine is a short subway ride away!
What would you improve about this program?
We had two professors for the course which made the academics a little confusing. I would prefer if we just had one professor.
I had a great time! The on-site staff was very friendly and available. I did find however, that the off-site staff for CIEE was not very responsive or helpful and often did not supply us (as in students and host families) with reliable information. There needs to be serious improvement of organization. If you like pre-scheduled groups trips, this would be the program for you. We had at least one planned activity a week, so that was nice. Also, though they don't technically include lunch within the program cost, the food in Merida was amazing and very cheap.
What would you improve about this program?
Communication to students and host families was very poor.
I really enjoyed my time in Mexico with CIEE. The program provided a lot of support and allowed me to improve my Spanish while also providing opportunities to explore the city and go to cultural events. The city is in a great location and allowed me to travel some as well. CIEE’s class allowed me to learn more about local, colloquial Spanish sayings. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who was looking to improve their Spanish and learn more about the culture that they were studying in.
What would you improve about this program?
I would want the program to offer a higher level of Spanish.
I absolutely loved my class in Prague. The city is full of history and extremely easy to walk and travel in. The course was engaging itself, and I especially loved the interactions I had with the professor. We also went to a lot of museums as part of the class, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a lot being in the class, and the professor enjoyed having me because I added a lot of insight on the specific psychoanalytic topic we were discussion from a music perspective, since we only covered Visual Art, Creative Art, and Film.
What was your funniest moment?
So we actually took a weekend trip to Budapest during the free weekend, and I was on my own bus from the rest of the group there and back. And I missed the bus at 11:50 at night! So I then had to spend the night in a gas station until I took the first bus back the next day.
CIEE in Kyoto was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Not only was the staff amazing but the housing was great as well. With everything that CIEE put in place for us it allowed us to have an amazing even life changing experience even in just 3 weeks. Getting to explore all of the things kyoto as to offer was amazing. Kyoto also is the #1 place to travel since it is not too crowded but still provides all of the amazing experiences a city in Japan has to offer! The city really gives you a place to bond with your classmates! Highly highly recommend!
Taking the Economics of Wine course in South Africa was one of the best decisions I ever made! Not only is Cape Town absolutely gorgeous, but the course was probably my favorite that I've ever taken. Our professor, Annalize, is one of the most interesting and knowledgeable people I've ever had the chance to meet, and the course was incredibly insightful. Because we were a class of three, we were able to have more personalized class discussions and partake in some pretty amazing co-curricluars which included having a personal meeting with Managing Directors, Head Wine Makers, and Marketing and Outreach positions of the wine farms. The country is beautiful, and not only did I get a whole new look on the wine industry, I got to step outside of my comfort zone while doing so.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
South Africa has a multitude of different cultures, and thus has a lot of different foods to go with them; and luckily they're all delicious! We went to and Eziko cooking school, went to a Xhosa restaurant that was owned by one of the RAs, and got to have a meal and house visit to some of the families in the townships. Each of these gave an insight into the associated culture, and we got to try so many new things; and help make some of them too! Samp and beans is a staple, and I liked it so much I might just have to learn how to make it back home.
Cusco Peru is a beautiful town, with amazing culture and wonderful/kind people! It was incredible seeing the beautiful landscapes and eating their amazing food! My host family was so unbelievably sweet and understanding. We did live a bit farther from the school so I had to take the bus. But I had other classmates that lived near me and we all rode together. It was fun feeling like a local.
As with any traveling, be sure to be aware of your surroundings.
Go on this adventure you won't regret it!
What would you improve about this program?
More clear as to what material is expected to be on quizzes and exams
Spending New Year's in Paris was the perfect start to the program. The housing arrangements were fabulous, and the academic curriculum was engaging and fascinating. Three weeks is definitely not enough to see this beautiful city, and was the perfect setting for making friends and having unforgettable experiences.
The class itself served to enhance my experience in Paris. The professor was knowledgeable and personable, and the class took place primarily outside the classroom, allowing visual learning.
What would you improve about this program?
The services for non-French speakers. I was one of the few students in my program that spoke French, and I found that many of my classmates were reliant on me to navigate and interact with locals. There were situations involving our housing where the landlady or a plumber came to our apartment and my roommates could not speak with them.
My experience with the CIEE during January Term will always be one of my fondest experiences. The faculty at the CIEE Global Institute were always willing to help review any concept that I had trouble with or even sit and have a meaningful conversation about Danish culture. Our program blended class trips and leisure activities, which were the perfect balance for our group. The academic environment was rich and meaningful; you always learned something and your voice always mattered within the discussion.
What would you improve about this program?
More immersion in the Danish language and culture!
Even though my time in Costa Rica was only three weeks, I was able to explore and learn about Monteverde and the rest of Costa Rica. The campus is BEAUTIFUL!! You will be able to see lots of wild life and experience incredible sites. The staff was incredible. They were extremely friendly and always there for anyone that needed help. The class was interesting, we were able to have many hands on experiences. I was able to meet a wide range of people, some of them have become my very close friends in such a short amount of time. I highly recommend this program.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be pretend for challenges. Being in the rainforest there will be animals, insects, weather changes, food changes, etc. You have to be easy going and try your best to adjust because it will be an amazing experience, and help you grow.
